Page 76 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Isabella gladly wrapped her fingers around it, soaking in the warmth. “Thank you. And thanks for coming.”

“Of course.” Nova smiled, her attention focusing back on the field. “How’s our boy doing?”

Eli turned around in that moment, his gaze searching the crowd of parents filling the bleachers until he landed on them. Ariel’s hands moved and Eli’s mouth turned up into a smile. He signed to her and then turned back to the game, running towards the opposing team kicking the ball his way.

“What did you say to him?” Isabella asked Ariel.

Ariel blinked shyly at her before her hands lifted, dancing sign language.

“She told him ‘Go Eli,’” Nova replied.

That was all? Maybe her son’s attitude change had something to do with who’d delivered the message rather than what it had said. She was glad he had a friend, even if she was half his age.

Isabella focused back on Eli as the ball flew towards him. He ran towards it, but he was too slow and it passed right by him.

“Come on! Coach, get this kid off the field and put someone in who knows their ass from their elbow!” a man shouted, pacing along the fence line that separated the spectators from the game.

Isabella was on her feet, her body thrumming with anger, marching towards the man to unleash hell on him.

“Hey, dickhead, shut your mouth.” A razor-sharp deep voice cut through the noise of the crowd.

She froze. What was Nash doing here?

The man turned to Nash sitting on the bottom row of bleachers, his potbelly sticking out from his shirt as he got in his face. “What did you call me?”

Nash stood to his full height, towering over the other man, and leaned in, speaking too low for her to hear even as she made her way closer. The loudmouth’s face went white as a sheet before he stumbled back. “S-sorry.” He took off towards the other end of the bleachers and kept going.

“Shake it off, Eli. You’ll get the next one!” Nash called onto the field, looping his fingers through the fence.

Eli nodded and focused back on the game.

“What did you say to him?” Isabella asked.

Nash stiffened, glancing at her and then back to Eli playing on the field. “What he needed to hear. To shut his mouth and grow some manners.”

He’d stood up for Eli. That melting sensation warmed her heart again.

“Well, I appreciate it. Now I get to enjoy my hot chocolate instead of throwing it in his face.” She laughed.

Half his mouth quirked up.

She took a sip. “I didn’t realize you were coming to his game.”

He shrugged. “Wanted to support him.”

“I feel like I keep having things to thank you for.”

“It’s not a hardship to care about that boy. He’s a good kid.”

“So you’ve said. And you’re a good man.”

His lips flattened as he met her gaze. “I’m trying to be,” he rasped, like the confession had cost him.

She blinked trying to get a hold of the gratitude and affection rising in her. Oh, God. I’m falling for the father of my child.

35

NASH

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